2007 Arizona
State Sun Devils
Recap:
It was no coincidence that Arizona State’s best season in 11 years was also
Dennis Erickson’s first season in Tempe. The Sun Devils unexpectedly rose to
No. 6 in the country with an 8-0 start before being outclassed down the stretch
in double-digit losses to Oregon, USC, and Texas in the Holiday Bowl. The
program showed a penchant all year for falling behind early and storming back in
the second half, getting plenty of help from the resurgence of third-year QB
Rudy Carpenter.
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Rudy Carpenter
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Robert James
Biggest Surprise: Although Erickson was supposed to have a positive
impact on the program, talk of a possible national championship run in November
was highly unexpected. The Sun Devils were more physical and mentally tough
than at any time in the Dirk Koetter era, sporting a defense that finished in
the top half of the Pac-10 in run and pass defense.
Biggest Disappointment: The play of the offensive line. Despite boasting
a veteran unit that returned six players with starting experience, the Sun Devil
offensive line was often no match for opposing pass rushes, allowing a
league-worst 55 sacks over 13 games.
Looking Ahead: Now that he has momentum, Erickson needs to parlay that
into more speed and depth along both lines. The return of Carpenter for his
senior season provides stability, but to remain a player in the Pac-10 in 2008,
Arizona State needs to develop reinforcements on the offensive line and in the
secondary.
-
2007 ASU Preview
-
2006 ASU
Season
2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction:
7-5
2007 Results:
10-3
Sept. 1
San Jose State
W 45-3
Sept. 8
Colorado
W 33-13
Sept. 15
San Diego
St
W 33-14
Sept. 22
Oregon State
W 44-32
Sept. 29
at Stanford
W 41-3
Oct.
6 at
Wash St W 23-20
Oct.
13
Washington
W 44-20
Oct.
27
California W 31-20
Nov.
3 at
Oregon L 35-23
Nov.
10 at
UCLA W 24-20
Nov.
22 USC
L 44-24
Dec.
1
Arizona
W 20-17
Holiday Bowl
Dec. 27 Texas L 52-34 |
Dec. 1
Arizona State 20 ... Arizona 17
Arizona State got by with a Rudy Carpenter flip pass for a
touchdown to Tyrice Thompson and a 20-yard Michael Jones scoring grab, and two
short Thomas Weber field goals, while the defense kept the Wildcat offense under
wraps. Arizona scored first on a one-yard Rob Gronkowski catch, but couldn't get
back in the end zone until there were 26 seconds left. ASU only finished with
344 yards of total offense, but Arizona only gained 316.
Player of the game:
Arizona State QB Rudy
Carpenter completed 20 of 37 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter,
20-37, 247 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Dimitri Nance, 22-58. Receiving: Chris McGaha, 6-83
Arizona - Passing: Willie Tuitama, 28-52, 272 yds, 2 TD, 2
INT
Rushing: Mike Thomas, 1-37. Receiving:
Mike Thomas, 9-98
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Arizona
State isn't going to win any beauty contests, and while that might not matter to
the overall record, it could prove costly when it comes time for bowl bids. This
just isn't a polished enough team to make too much noise against the top-shelf
programs right now, but it got good defense against Arizona and got just enough
production from Rudy Carpenter to keep the offense in control. More of a
consistent running game would be nice, but that's a lot to ask for considering
all the injuries. It's going to be defense and Rudy Carpenter in the bowl game,
but whatever happens, a ten-win season is still impressive.
Nov. 23
USC 44 ... Arizona State 24
John David Booty threw for 375 yards with four touchdown
passes to four different receivers, and ran for a one-yard score, highlighted by
a 34-yard play to Fred Davis at the end of the third quarter to put the game
well out of reach. Booty's first touchdown pass, a four-yard strike to Vidal
Hazelton on the opening drive, was answered by a 98-yard Rudy Burgess kickoff
return for a score. A 25-yard Thomas Weber field goal for ASU made it 17-17
early in the second quarter, and then USC opened it up with a 27-point run to
make it a rout. The Trojan defensive line dominated with six sacks and several
more pressures while holding ASU to 16 yards rushing.
Player of the game:
USC DE Lawrence Jackson
made eight tackles, four sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter,
21-30, 240 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Dimitri Nance, 9-19, 1 TD. Receiving: Chris McGaha, 5-85
USC - Passing: John David Booty, 26-39, 375 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Chauncey Washington, 22-80. Receiving: Fred Davis,
5-119, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
ASU simply didn't have the horses or the talent to
beat a USC with all its parts working. The offensive line has been an issue all
season long in pass protection, and it almost got Rudy Carpenter killed. Despite
being battered and beaten up all night long, Carpenter hung in and kept
pressing, but to no avail. This is still a strong ASU team, but it needs to
figure out something in a big, big hurry or the Arizona defense will tee off on
Carpenter.
Nov. 10
Arizona State 24 ... UCLA 20
Arizona State overcame an early 10-0 deficit and a late
89-yard kickoff return for a score from Matt Slater to hold on for
the win. Rudy Carpenter connected with Kyle Williams for a nine-yard
score, Dimitri Nance ran for an 11-yard touchdown, and Keegan
Herring put the Sun Devils up for good with a 71-yard run midway
through the third quarter. After a Thomas Weber punt pinned the
Bruins deep with time for one last gasp try, a several lateral play
helped get the ball past midfield, but the desperation play
sputtered out and ASU pulled it out.
Player of the game: In a losing cause, UCLA S Chris Horton made
eight tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss
Stat Leaders: UCLA - Passing: Osaar Rasshan,
14-27, 181 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Craig Sheppard, 12-56, 1 TD. Receiving:
Brandon Breazell, 5-87
Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter, 16-31,
200 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Keegan Herring, 22-116, 1 TD. Receiving: Chris
McGaha, 9-123
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... ASU
needs to be much, much sharper against USC and Arizona to finish
11-1 and be in the Rose Bowl. Against UCLA, Rudy Carpenter got hit
way too often, the running game was inconsistent and it took way too
long to put a punchless team way. Carpenter won't be able to get
away with a 16 of 31-day against the Bruins, but he needs help from
an offensive line that's had a nightmare of a time in pass
protection over the last few weeks. UCLA's six sacks kept the game
close.
Nov. 3
Oregon 35 ... Arizona State 23
Dennis Dixon threw four touchdown passes including strikes of
26 and 27 yards to Jaison Williams in the first half. Jonathan
Stewart caught a 13-yard touchdown pass and ran for a 33-yard score
to keep the Ducks ahead, but the Sun Devils kept pressing with Rudy
Carpenter throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Michael Jones, and an
11-yard score to Brent Miller. But ASU blew two key scoring chances,
with Carpenter throwing an interception in the end zone and a Tyrice
Thompson fumble off a long pass all but sealing the Duck win. The
Sun Devils outgained the Ducks 489 yards to 400.
Player of the game:
Oregon DE Nick Reed made 11 tackles with 3.5 sacks and five tackles
for loss
Stat Leaders: Oregon - Passing: Dennis Dixon,
13-22, 189 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Jonathan Stewart, 21-99, 1 TD. Receiving:
Jaison Williams, 5-106, 2 TD
Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter, 22-36,
379 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Keegan Herring, 12-83. Receiving: Brent Miller,
6-45, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Give
credit to Oregon for coming up with the plays to get up early, but
ASU was making one of its patented comebacks only to shoot itself in
the foot on two key plays. An apparent miscommunication led to an
interception in the end zone, and the late Tyrice Thompson fumble,
proved to kill the chances. This was a tough win that knocked the
Sun Devils out of the national title chance, but with showcase games
against UCLA, USC and Arizona ahead, don't dismiss the chances to
find a way into a BCS game. Winning at USC would be more impressive
than Oregon beating the Trojans in Autzen.
Oct. 27
Arizona State 31 ... California 20
Cal got out to 13-0 first quarter lead on a 13-yard Cameron
Jordan fumble recovery for a touchdown and two Jordan Kay field
goals, ASU got an 11-yard Dimitri Nance touchdown run, Cal answered
with a 21-yard DeSean Jackson touchdown catch, and then it was all
Sun Devils the rest of the way. Nance scored from two and eight
yards out, Thomas Weber hit a 47-yard field goal, and Kyle Williams
caught a 12-yard scoring pass as part of a 24-0 run. Cal's offense
sputtered in the second half, but ASU only outgained the Bears 363
yards to 359.
Player of the
game: Arizona State RB Dimitri Nance ran 21 times for 85 yards
and three touchdowns and caught three passes for 47 yards
Stat Leaders: California - Passing: Nate
Longshore, 18-36, 261 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Justin Forsett, 17-62. Receiving: DeSean
Jackson, 5-88, 1 TD
Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter, 17-29,
219 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Keegan Herring, 24-96. Receiving:
Chris McGaha, 4-58
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... ASU
didn't get a ton of yards against Cal, but it made them count. The
rushing combination of Keegan Herring and Dimitri Nance might not
make everyone forget about Ryan Torain, but it was strung enough to
take the pressure off Rudy Carpenter for a second straight game.
Give credit to the Sun Devils for not panicking when down early. Cal
had the nice lead, the passing game was working relatively well, and
it seemed like the magical run was about to end. Not quite. Now
comes the real fun with a trip to Oregon. Win that game, and then
it's time to really start talking about a possible national title
run.
Oct. 13
Arizona State 44 ... Washington 20
It took ASU about a half to get going, but it came out of the
locker room rolling with 21 straight points on a 21-yard pass play
to Rudy Burgess, and 57-yard Dimitri Nance touchdown run, and a
76-yard Keegan Herring scoring dash. Washington's offense didn't
have an answer, only getting a 31-yard Ryan Perkins field goal in
the second half, while ASU tacked on another ten points highlighted
by a 35-yard Troy Nolan interception return for a score. ASU
outgained Washington 523 yards to 288.
Player of the game:
Arizona State RB Keegan Herring ran ten times for 119 yards and a
touchdown
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy
Carpenter, 20-31, 227 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Keegan Herring, 10-119, 1 TD. Receiving:
Chris McGaha, 5-73
Washington - Passing: Jake Locker, 10-28, 142
yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Louis Rankin, 11-80. Receiving: Marcel
Reece, 2-45, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It seems
to take ASU about a half to get its feet wet, and then it comes out
and blows the doors off teams. Credit the coaching staff for making
the proper adjustments at halftime, but it's also a cause for
concern with the big boys on the schedule coming up. The Sun Devils
can't get out to a slow start against Cal or Oregon, but as long as
there aren't many mistakes, the penalties are kept to a minimum, and
there's good offensive balance, this team is talented enough to beat
anyone left on the slate.
Oct. 6
Arizona State 23 ... Washington State 20
Arizona State hit its kick; Washington State missed its
chance.
Cougar
PK Romeen Abdollmohammadi hit a 38-yard field goal to tie it at 20
with less than four minutes to play, only to see Thomas Weber nail a
37-yard field goal to give ASU the lead for good. Abdollmohammadi
had one final chance to send it into overtime, but missed on a
45-yarder. The Sun Devil offense sputtered, just getting two Rudy
Carpenter touchdown passes, but got help from the defense, with
Justin Tryon picking off an Alex Brink pass for a 69-yard score.
Wazzu outgained ASU 451 yards to 296, and got two Brink touchdown
passes highlighted by a 32-yarder to Brandon Gibson.
Player of the game:
Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter went 19-of-27 for 217 yards with two
touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy
Carpenter, 19-27, 217 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Ryan Torain, 24-116. Receiving: Kyle
Williams, 6-71, 1 TD
Washington State - Passing: Alex Brink, 27-50,
369 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Dwight Tardy, 13-32. Receiving: Michael Bumpus,
6-62
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Beating Washington State was hardly
easy, and for the first time all year, the running game got a good
game out of Ryan Torain, but averaged 1.8 yards per carry, mainly
because of the pass protection problems, but the Sun Devils found a
way to win. 6-0 is 6-0, and after the Washington game, the real
season starts with all the Pac 10 big boys ahead over a key
four-game stretch. To win and stay in the Pac 10 title race, the
offensive line can't play as poorly as it did this week after
allowing seven sacks. Rudy Carpenter was under pressure all game
long, and therw two interceptions, and now he'll need more
protection in the upcoming shootouts.
Sept. 29
Arizona State 41 ... Stanford 3
Arizona State was struggling a bit early on, only managing two
Thomas Weber field goals, and then lightning struck at the end of
the first half. Rudy Burgess caught a 62-yard touchdown pass, and on
Stanford's next play from scrimmage, Omar Bolden returned an
interception 29 yards for a score and a 21-0 lead. The Cardinal
bounced back to go 65 yards in ten plays, with Derek Belch
connecting on a 42-yard field goal on the last play of the first
half. That would be it for the drama. Welch his two more field goals
in the second half, Dimitri Nance scored on a 17-yard run, and
Keegan Herring closed out the scoring with a 72-yard dash.
Player of the game:
Arizona State WR Rudy Burgess made seven catches for 137 yards and a
touchdown.
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy
Carpenter, 20-27, 259 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ryan Torain, 16-103. Receiving: Rudy Burgess,
7-137, 1 TD
Stanford - Passing: T.C Ostrander, 20-35, 237
yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Anthony Kimble, 10-20. Receiving: Richard
Sherman, 6-105
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It took
a little while for the machine to get rolling against Stanford, but
once the offense found its groove, it was over. Rudy Carpenter had
another efficient, solid game, avoided making major mistakes and
keeping the chains moving after the first quarter, but this game was
a blowout because of the defense. Seven sacks, including 2.5 from
Dexter Davis, helped the Cardinal net a mere -2 yards rushing. If
the D can keep getting offenses off the field, 7-0 (with Washington
State and Washington ahead) is a must before dealing with
California.
Sept. 22
Arizona State 44 ... Oregon State 32
Arizona State ripped off 31 straight points in the second half
to overcome a rough first quarter, as Ryan Torain scored on two Rudy
Carpenter passes to go along with a 41-yard dash. Oregon State got up
19-0, starting of with a safety off a bad snap before Howard Croom
caught a 14-yard touchdown pass, and Yvenson Bernard ran for a one-yard
score. And then the ASU passing game kicked in, as Carpenter connected
with Michael Jones for a 64-yard touchdown early in the second quarter,
and again late in the third quarter from 43 yards out. The Sun Devil
defense also did its part with five interceptions, with Robert James and
Troy Nolan picking off OSU QB Sean Canfield twice.
Player
of the game:
Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter completed 25 of 36 passes for 361 yards
and four touchdowns with an interception.
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy
Carpenter, 25-36, 361 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ryan Torain, 26-91, 1 TD. Receiving: Rudy
Burgess, 6-38
Oregon State - Passing: Sean Canfield, 28-48, 324
yds, 2 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Yvenson Bernard, 24-128, 1 TD. Receiving: Sammie
Stroughter, 6-102
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
While ASU didn't have its sharpest
performance so far in the win over Oregon State, the defense made the
big plays to turn things around, and the offense took advantage of every
opportunity. Ryan Torain ran well, but the offensive line struggled with
the Beaver pass rush, and didn't open up consistent holes to run
through. Even so, the offense showed excellent explosion to put the game
away. It's not necessarily a bad thing to play an average game and put
up 44 points in a win over a good team like OSU.
Sept. 15
Arizona State 34 ... San Diego State 13
Rudy Carpenter threw two touchdown passes and Keegan Herring
scored twice as Arizona State had few problems with the Aztecs.
Carpenter connected with Kyle Williams from 19 yards out on the opening
drive of the game, and hit Rudy Burgess for a 30-yard score at the end
of the first half. Herring tore off a 46-yard scoring run in the first
quarter, and put the game well out of reach with a one-yard run in the
third. San Diego State got two Garrett Palmer field goals and a
three-yard Kevin O'Connell touchdown run.
Player of
the game ... Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter completed 19 of
37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
Player of the game:
Arizona
State RB Keegan Herring ran 19 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns
and caught three passes for 24 yards
Stat Leaders: Arizona State - Passing: Rudy
Carpenter, 15-21, 200 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Keegan Herring, 19-161, 2 TD. Receiving: Rudy
Burgess, 3-52, 1 TD
San Diego State - Passing: Kevin O’Connell, 22-38,
180 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Bornes, 12-73. Receiving: Brett Swain, 6-66
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
The Sun Devils didn't
need their best performance to beat San Diego State, and they didn't get
it. The team went through the motions, but it worked, as the offensive
line once again showed how strong it can be for the running game,
blasting open lanes for Keegan Herring to blow through. Without Ryan
Torain, ASU still got production. Outside of an interception, Rudy
Carpenter had another nice game. It's night-and-day compared to last
year; he's not forcing his throws, because he doesn't need to. He's
getting plenty of time to operate.
Sept.
8
Arizona State 33 ... Colorado 14
Colorado jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a 35-yard Terrence
Wheatley interception return for a score and a ten-yard Scotty McKnight
touchdown catch, and then ASU took over with a 33-point run over two
quarters to coast to the sloppy win. Rudy Carpenter threw three
touchdown passes with two to Michael Jones. Kyle Williams caught a
22-yard touchdown pass on a brilliant Carpenter throw at the end of the
first half on the drive following a 26-yard interception return for a
score from Troy Nolan. Ryan Torain added a seven-yard touchdown run.
Player of
the game ... Arizona State QB Rudy Carpenter completed 19 of
37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns with an interception
Stat Leaders: Colorado - Passing: Cody
Hawkins, 16-43, 162 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Demetrius Sumler, 16-34 Receiving:
Scotty McKnight, 6-63, 1 TD
Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter,
19-37, 269 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Ryan Torain, 17-91, 1 TD Receiving:
Michael Jones, 6-96, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
It's not like the
Sun Devils didn't try to be the Sun Devils of old against Colorado with
several chippy penalties and three turnovers, but it didn't matter; the
team is too good. The defense is as physical as any the program has seen
since the late 1990s, while Rudy Carpenter showed for the second
straight week that he has the poise and command back. He threaded the
needle with a few beautiful passes he wasn't making last year. Now the
team has to work on the finer things against San Diego State, like not
committing 12 penalties for 136 yards, and has to do more to pound out
the ground game with someone other than Ryan Torain.
Sept. 1
Arizona State 45 ... San Jose State 3
Arizona State stomped on the Spartans as Ryan Torain ran for
three touchdowns and Rudy Carpenter threw for two others in the surprising
blowout. The San Jose State offense managed a 28-yard Jared Strubeck field goal
and gained a mere 115 yards of total offense on the day. The Sun Devils did
whatever they wanted to, rushing for 250 yards and passing for 270.
Player of
the game ... Arizona State RB Ryan Torain ran 17 times for
123 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: San Jose State - Passing:
Adam Tafralis, 5-13, 39 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Adam Tafralis, 6-19 Receiving:
David Richmond, 5-32
Arizona State - Passing: Rudy Carpenter,
14-20, 197 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Ryan Torain, 17-123, 3 TD Receiving:
Michael Jones, 4-63, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Talk
about getting off to a big start, ASU throttled a good San Jose State team in
every way possible to kick off the Dennis Erickson era with a bang. 33 first
downs to seven. 520 yards to 115. 13 of 17 on third down conversions. Everything
went right, and now the weekly consistency has to be there that wasn't in the
Dirk Koetter era. Also of note was the performance by Rudy Carpenter, who
appears to have relaxed and has gotten his groove back. Do this against Colorado
next week, and then it'll be truly time to get excited.
Sept. 1 -
San Jose State
Offense: The
offense wasn't always explosive, but it was steady, didn't give the ball away,
kept the chains moving, and got the job done. Expect more of the same if the
offensive line can quickly replace three starters and the new recruits for the
receiving corps can play right away. The passing game loses the top three
targets and 141 of 181 catches, so ultra-efficient QB Adam Tafralis has to be
even better. Yonus Davis leads a small, quick, veteran group of running backs
that can take it the distance with a little bit of room.
Defense: The Spartan defense took a giant leap forward giving up yards,
but not a whole bunch of points allowing fewer than 24 in ten of the final 11
games. Seven starters are back from the ball-hawking crew led by tackling
machine Matt Castelo at middle linebacker and corners Dwight Lowery and
Christopher Owens. The defensive front has to do a better overall job, and it
will now that it's experienced after cutting its teeth last season. Jarron
Gilbert and Justin Cole will be pass rushing terrors. Expect this group to give
up plenty of yards, but also come up with more than its share of takeaways.
Sept. 8 - Colorado
Offense: Call this a stepping-stone season for the offense before it
explodes in 2008. The overall production can't help but be better after
averaging a Big 12-worst 291 yards and 16 points per game. There are too many
ifs. If a backup can emerge behind top running back Hugh Charles, and if all the
problems this spring finding healthy offensive linemen go away, and if the
veteran receiving corps can prove that it's better than last season showed, and
if Cody Hawkins and/or Nick Nelson can shine right away at quarterback, the
Buffs should start to have the offense that Buff fans expected when Dan Hawkins
was hired.
Defense: The defense was better than it every got credit for considering
the offense provided no help whatsoever. The starting 11, in whatever
configuration that turns out to be, should be excellent as long as a pass rush
is found from the ends. The linebacking corps will be the strength with
tackling-machine Jordon Dizon leading the way. George Hypolite and Brandon
Nicolas form an excellent tackle tandem to work around, while Terrence Wheatley
is an All-Big 12 corner to handle everyone's number one. Now there needs to be
more from the secondary, and the run defense has to be as strong as it was last
year despite losing key linemen Abraham Wright and Walter Boye-Doe.
Sept. 15 - San Diego State
Offense: Could everyone please stay healthy so we can see what the
offense can do? Eight starters return, along with many others with starting
experience, but it'll be the ones who weren't a part of the mix throughout all
of last year, QB Kevin O'Connell and RB Lynell Hamilton, who'll need to make the
offense sing after it finished averaging a woeful 14.17 points per game. Even if
they don't backup quarterback Kevin Craft and a host of running backs are good
enough to bring more production. The receivers are big and fast, the combination
of running backs are big and fast, and O'Connell is big and fast. The line
should be fine with plenty of returning experience, so now there has to be real,
live production.
Defense: Uh oh. Four starters return from a defense that struggled with
its consistency throughout the year and did nothing to get into the backfield.
That was with Antwan Applewhite, who left a year early. The outside linebackers,
Russell Allen and Brett Martin, are the strength of the defense, Ray Bass is a
solid, veteran safety, while Nick Osborn is a good, versatile lineman who'll
start out at tackle after playing last year at end. That's about it for the
sure-things. The corner situation is a mess, there's no pass rusher to count on,
and the overall depth will be an issue.
Sept. 22 - Oregon State
Offense: While the Beavers regularly skip using a fullback in favor of a
third receiver, they’re a balanced offense that’ll run it as much as they
throw. When you’ve got a back as talented as senior Yvenson Bernard, that’s
called using your resources wisely. Bernard has run for more than 1,300 yards
in each of the last two seasons behind a nasty, no-nonsense line that welcomes
back all but one starter. Senior split end Sammie Stroughter is an open field
dynamo coming off a monster season in 2006. What he can do for an encore
depends in large part on how well one of two sophomore quarterbacks adapts to a
full-time gig. Hard-throwing lefty Sean Canfield is the acknowledged favorite
to supplant Matt Moore, but Lyle Moevao sent a message this spring that he won’t
go away quietly.
Defense: Much of the unit that led the Pac-10 in takeaways and sacks is
back in Corvallis for 2007. The front seven, in particular, is rock solid and
made up entirely of seniors. The best of the bunch is outside linebacker
Derrick Doggett, who has the range and long stride to literally make plays
anywhere on the field. After bagging a team-high nine sacks as a reserve in
2006, end Dorian Smith is a sleeper with a chance to shed his anonymity this
fall. Whether the Beaver D can get from really good to impervious in 2007
depends on the development of a suspect secondary that allowed 223 yards a game
a year ago. Junior corners Keenan Lewis and Brandon Hughes are moving in the
right direction, but you don’t get better by losing long-time patrolman Sabby
Piscitelli.
Sept. 29 – at Stanford
Offense: Jim Harbaugh wants to attack defenses with an up tempo offense
that’ll feature lots of pre-snap motion and a ball control element that harkens
back to the Bill Walsh days of the West Coast offense. It worked swimmingly at
the University of San Diego for the past couple of years, but this is Stanford
where ten points and less than 250 yards a game was the norm last year. The
Cardinal is experienced everywhere and pretty deep at the skill positions, but
none of that will matter unless the offensive line does a complete 180 off last
year’s atrocious performance.
Defense: New defensive coordinator Scott Shafer is scrapping the 3-4 this
year in favor of an attacking 4-3 that is designed to create more turnovers and
more plays for negative yards. The Cardinal is open to suggestions after
finishing last in the Pac-10 in just about every defensive category in 2006.
There are holes, to be sure, but Shafer will also inherit some exciting young
talent at each unit, such as sophomore tackle Ekom Udofia, sophomore linebacker
Clinton Snyder and junior cornerback Wopamo Osaisai. Above all else, the
defense has to find some answers against the run after being humiliated for more
than 2,500 yards and nearly five yards a carry a year ago.
Oct. 6 – at Washington State
Offense: Washington State won’t abandon the run by any means, but this is
an offense that’s traditionally wide-open and run out of three-wide sets. The
engineer of the attack will be fourth-year starting quarterback Alex Brink, who
enters his senior season with a real nice complement of receivers, led by
all-Pac-10 candidates Brandon Gibson and Michael Bumpus. Although the offensive
line welcomes back four players that started games a year ago, both tackles will
be new, a big concern heading into the season. If they’re overmatched, the
ripple effect will reverberate throughout the entire offense.
Defense: Expect some subtle changes as head coach Bill Doba steps
in to coordinate the defense in 2007. He’d like to utilize more man coverages
and blitz packages, both of which could be suicide for a secondary that’s been
gutted by graduations and is in dire need of a couple of reliable cornerbacks.
The Cougars are going to give up plenty of yards and points, but if they can
create turnovers and sack the quarterback, like last year, there’s hope that the
breakdowns can be managed. The defense is loaded with big, agile bodies up
front, but there’s a catch—serious injuries are mounting and could bleed into
the start of the season. While there’s no quick fix for the pass defense,
junior college transfer Terry Mixon has the potential to be a star from the
moment he steps foot in Pullman.
Oct. 13 - Washington
Offense: All eyes in Seattle will be fixed on the debut of hot-shot
rookie quarterback Jake Locker, but if there’s one priority for Tyrone
Willingham in 2007, it’s to get more consistent on the ground. Conservative by
Pac-10 doctrine, the third-year coach wants to pound it between the tackles to
set up the pass. Top back Louis Rankin is more of an outside runner, putting
the onus on 210-pound sophomore J.R. Hasty to start realizing his vast
potential. While Locker has all the tools for stardom, he’ll spend most of the
upcoming season adapting to his new role as the face of the program. His
big-play target will be senior Marcel Reece, a Mike Walker clone poised to make
a salary run.
Defense: Even with a slight improvement in 2006, the Husky pass defense
ranked among the nation’s worst for the second straight year. With no stars and
two new starters, expect more of the same in 2007. The problems in the
secondary will again overshadow a sneaky good front seven that features four
returning starters on the defensive line and a group of young, dynamic
linebackers, including sophomores E.J. Savannah and Donald Butler that could
evolve into playmakers. Defensive ends Greyson Gunheim and Daniel Te’o Nesheim
are a couple of warriors that combined for two dozen tackles for loss last
fall. At 6-5 and 265 pounds, Gunheim runs like a gazelle, making him a magnet
for NFL scouts visiting the Northwest.
Oct. 27 - California
Offense: With Jeff Tedford at the controls, this is basically a pro-style
offense that mixes the run and the pass evenly, and puts up points as quickly as
any program in the country. The head coach will be calling plays again after a
one-year hiatus, meaning trick plays will be more frequent than a year ago. The
job of distributing the ball to an array of speedy skill position players
belongs to quarterback Nate Longshore, a strong-armed junior that threw 24
touchdown passes in 2006 and a few too many picks. Although he has plenty of
receivers to choose from, none is more lethal than DeSean Jackson, a
field-stretcher and legit Heisman candidate. Super sub Justin Forsett takes
over for Marshawn Lynch at running back, where he’ll be running behind an
outstanding veteran line. Center Alex Mack is on the All-American doorstep
after earning first team All-Pac-10 honors as a sophomore.
Defense: There’s plenty of work to be done for a Cal defense that begins
a new era without its signature all-conference player at each of the three
defensive units. Outstanding recruiting by Jeff Tedford and his staff in recent
years ensures that the cupboard is far from empty, but there’ll be a learning
curve early on in 2007. Of greatest concern is a pass defense that gets modest
support up front and will be relying on a slew of green cornerbacks. Sophomore
Syd’Quan Thompson and redshirt freshman Darian Hagan look the part, but need to
deliver once Pac-10 plays begins. Junior Zack Follett is the budding star of a
linebacker unit that has the potential to be the next best thing to USC in the
conference.
Nov. 3 – at Oregon
Offense: As usual, Oregon gobbled up a ton of yards in 2006, but lacked
efficiency most of the year and imploded under the weight of its turnovers in
the second half of the season. So when offensive coordinator Gary Crowton left
for LSU, Mike Bellotti turned to New Hampshire’s Chip Kelly to get the offense
back on course. A spread offense guru, Kelly will have a few new bells and
whistles in his toolbox, including greater use of the no-huddle and increased
reliance on superstar back Jonathan Stewart. The key for the offense, and
probably the entire team, will be the development of senior quarterback Dennis
Dixon, who became the poster boy for the Ducks’ collapse late last year. He’ll
get adequate protection from Max Unger and the boys up front, but needs more
consistency from a receiving corps that misplayed too many balls in 2006.
Defense: Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti isn’t shy about bringing
pressure with his wave of good athletes, and now has a couple of quality corners
to marginalize the risk of selling out. Jairus Byrd and Walter Thurmond,
Freshman All-Americans in 2006, join standout rover Patrick Chung to give the
Ducks their feistiest secondary in years. The front seven, however, is far less
stable. After finishing ninth in the Pac-10 in run defense, Oregon needs to
shore up the middle of its defense and develop an end or two that can
consistently create pressure. Redshirt freshman Brandon Bair is one possibility
that has the staff cautiously excited about the defensive end spot. In a league
filled with strong-armed hurlers, that promising secondary will pay the price if
opposing passers are given too much time to throw.
Nov. 10 – at UCLA
Offense: Tired of his feeble offense and conservative play calling, Karl
Dorrell is turning the unit over to Jay Norvell, a Nebraska import who’ll be
calling plays for the first time in his career. With him comes an up tempo
version of the West Coast offense that’ll be rooted in high percentage passes
and the occasional use of the shotgun. Norvell’s triggerman will be lefty Ben
Olson, who’s held off the challenge of Patrick Cowan, and is still waiting for a
breakthrough season five years after being a ballyhooed BYU recruit. Although
12 players with extensive starting experience return, only guard Shannon Tevaga
and running back Chris Markey can be considered bona fide threats for all-league
honors. To help get Olson where he needs to be, a playmaker or two needs to
emerge among a pedestrian receiving corps.
Defense: Kudos to defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, who did the
improbable in 2006 by whipping a sorry Bruin defense into shape. Ten starters
are back from that unit, which finished No. 2 in the Pac-10 in total defense and
tops against the run. One All-American rush end, Justin Hickman, has departed,
but one, Bruce Davis, returns to wreak havoc on league quarterbacks. Although
the linebackers look nothing like the ones across town at USC, they’re fast,
instinctive and a nice fit for Walker’s defense. Middle linebacker Christian
Taylor is the definition of a hard-working college athlete that makes a ton of
plays, but likely won’t be wearing pads beyond 2007. The secondary is an enigma
that’s loaded with returning talent, yet still vulnerable through the air.
Strong safety Chris Horton laid the groundwork last year for what should be a
terrific final season at UCLA.
Nov. 22 - USC
Offense: Does anyone in the country reload faster than the Trojans?
While there’ll be new faces on the line, at wide receiver, and at offensive
coordinator, the high-powered results that have become commonplace in the Pete
Carroll era aren’t about to change. Of course, it helps to have at the controls
strong-armed senior John David Booty, one of the early favorites to add a fourth
Heisman Trophy to Heritage Hall in the last six years. He’ll be surrounded by
an absolutely decadent amount of skill position talent, but most of the
receivers lack experience at this level. In this case, talent will overcome
inexperience in a rout. At 6-5 and 220 pounds, junior receiver Patrick Turner
has the imposing size and sticky fingers to conjure up images of Mike Williams
and Dwayne Jarrett, and have a breakout year. Although the line is going to
miss the presence of center Ryan Kalil, returning two-time All-American Sam
Baker to protect Booty’s blindside will help cushion the blow.
Defense: The Trojan offense is good. The Trojan defense is scary good.
Backed by a Who’s Who of future first-day NFL Draft choices, USC is ready to
unleash the nastiest and stingiest unit of the Pete Carroll era. Led by Sedrick
Ellis at the nose, Keith Rivers at middle linebacker, and Terrell Thomas at
cornerback, the Trojans boast seven players capable of making a run at
All-America honors in 2007. Yeah, a few more sacks and takeaways would be nice,
but this is as close to a flawless unit that there is in the country. From
front to back, they’re aggressive, experienced and fast enough to create a
swarming effect on the ball carrier. Although the Trojans will give up yards to
teams playing from behind, scoring meaningful points on them in the first three
quarters is going to be a year-long nightmare.
Dec. 1 -
Arizona
Offense: After averaging a 100th place finish in total offense
over the last three years, Mike Stoops has handed the unit off to former Texas
Tech coordinator Sonny Dykes. Dykes has learned from the likes of Mike Leach
and Hal Mumme over the last decade, so expect to see a rejuvenated Willie
Tuitama in the shotgun, putting the ball up a ton more than last season. The
Wildcats’ quest to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally in the spread
offense will hinge on their ability to develop dependable receivers other than
junior Mike Thomas. The beleaguered offensive line is a year older, intact and
poised to benefit from a system that forces the quarterback to make quick passes
and even quicker decisions. Sophomore Eben Britton is on the brink of becoming
a prodigy at right tackle.
Defense: With the return of ten starters and an all-star caliber player
at each unit, Arizona should be even stingier than 2006, when it led the Pac-10
in turnover margin and allowed fewer than 20 points a game. The headliner once
again will be senior Antoine Cason, one of the smoothest corners in America and
a leading candidate for the Thorpe Award. Led by underrated senior Spencer
Larsen, the linebackers are a no-name crew that just goes out and makes a bunch
of tackles every Saturday. The onus for jump starting the pass rush falls
squarely on the shoulders of senior Louis Holmes, a massive talent that
underachieved in his first season out of junior college.
|
Add Topics to My HotList
